A Greek gunman who took hostage 35 people, including 33 Japanese tourists, Saturday threatened to execute the captives one by one and burn the bus.

Speaking by telephone to the private Greek television station Antenna, Christos Kentiras, 48, said: "Tell the police chief in Attiki to stop the cars chasing the bus otherwise I will kill them (the hostages) one by one."

In an earlier call, Kentiras told a journalist he would burn the bus with the passengers because the police were playing it "too smart."

"The bus will not stop unless I order it," he added.

Kentiras also asked the journalist to call his son and his sister "to say hello."

He seized the bus in northwest Greece after shooting dead his mother in law and a friend over a family dispute. The bus was speeding through western Greece pursued by around 15 police cars.

The Panolybia Tour Company, which owns the bus said that there were 33 Japanese tourists on board, along with a driver and a Greek guide.